14
(They said this because about five thousand men were present.) Jesus said to his disciples, "
Seat them in groups of about fifty."
15
They did so, and everyone was seated.
16
He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, and broke them and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
17
Everyone ate until they were full, and the disciples filled twelve baskets with the leftovers.
Following Christ
18 Once when Jesus was praying by himself, the disciples joined him, and he asked them, "
Who do the crowds say that I am?"
19
They answered, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others that one of the ancient prophets has come back to life."
20
He asked them, "
And what about you? Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ sent from God."
21
Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell this to anyone.
22
He said, "
The Human One must suffer many things and be rejected—by the elders, chief priests, and the legal experts—and be killed and be raised on the third day."
23
Jesus said to everyone, "
All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.
24
All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me will save them.